Allow more time to travel on M1 in West Yorkshire as barrier upgrade progresses

As the school summer holidays come to an end, motorists in West Yorkshire are reminded to allow plenty of extra time as the upgrade of a safety barrier on the M1 moves ahead.

With the start of the new term, increased delays are expected on the M1 between junctions 43 (Belle Isle) and 47 (Parlington), where National Highways is replacing the current central barrier with a safer concrete version.

However, good news is on the horizon as National Highways is due to begin removing the current lane 3 closures between junctions 46 (Austhorpe) and 47 from 16 September - around six weeks ahead of programme. As well as removing the 50mph speed limit from this section, this will allow three lanes of the M1 to be open on both sides in this section from early October.

National Highways Project Manager Daniel Edwards said:

“We’re pleased that we’ll be able to finish the first phase of the scheme earlier than planned. However, while we make these improvements, we advise people to allow more time for their journeys in this area, especially during the morning and afternoon peak traffic periods.”

The new barrier aims to make journeys safer as concrete barriers are even stronger than metal ones. They reduce the risk of vehicles crossing over from one carriageway to another, improving safety and reducing the duration of incident-related congestion.

The first phase of work to replace the barrier between junctions 46 and 47 began in March. The scheme was extended to cover the barrier between junctions 43 and 46 at the start of August. The entire scheme is currently expected to be complete in May next year.

Daniel said:

“We understand the replacement has been causing disruption and delays to people’s journeys and are working a mixture of days and nights to complete this scheme as soon as we can.”

Further updates on this scheme will be shared on the National Highways: Yorkshire and North East web page, on the National Highways regional X (Twitter) account @HighwaysYORKS and on the National Highways: Yorkshire Facebook page.

Notes to Editors

National Highways is the wholly government-owned company responsible for modernising, maintaining and operating England’s motorways and major A roads.

Real-time traffic information for England’s motorways and major A roads is available via the Traffic England website, local and national radio travel bulletins, electronic road signs and mobile apps. Local Twitter services are also available.

For further information please contact National Highways' press office (24hrs) on 0844 693 1448 and select the most appropriate option:

Option 1: National enquiries (9am to 5.30pm) and out of hours for urgent enquiries
Option 2: North West (9am to 5.30pm)
Option 3: Yorkshire and North East (9am to 5.30pm)
Option 4: West Midlands (9am to 5.30pm)
Option 5: East Midlands (9am to 5.30pm)
Option 6: East (9am to 5.30pm)
Option 7: South East (9am to 5.30pm)
Option 8: South West (9am to 5.30pm)